Head of Indirect Tax

Oxford Nanopore Technologies aims to bring the widest benefits to society by enabling the analysis of anything, by anyone, anywhere. The company has developed a new generation of nanopore-based sensing technology for faster, information-rich, accessible and affordable molecular analysis. The first application is DNA/RNA sequencing, and the technology is in development for the analysis of other types of molecules, including proteins. The technology is used to understand and characterise the biology and diseases of humans, other organisms and whole environments.

Oxford Nanopore is seeking a Head of Indirect Tax to join its Finance team in Oxford. Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, this is a Director or Associate Director level opportunity (depending on experience) with responsibility for the end-to-end governance, control and compliance of indirect taxes across the global group. As a FTSE 250 life sciences technology company undergoing rapid international expansion, Oxford Nanopore operates in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Indirect tax plays a critical role in enabling this growth, ensuring compliance while supporting commercial agility as the business scales towards sustained profitability.

Location: Oxford, OX4 (Hybrid, 3 days per week in office)

The Head of Indirect Tax will own the design, implementation and effectiveness of the global indirect tax control framework, ensuring indirect tax obligations are accurately reported and discharged across all jurisdictions. The role oversees a high-volume filing environment of approximately 700 returns annually through a scalable, system-enabled operating model. Acting as the Group’s subject matter expert, you will provide practical, commercially aligned advice on indirect tax implications relating to strategic and operational decisions, including international expansion, supply chain design and regulatory change. You will also support the Group Financial Controller and CFO in meeting Senior Accounting Officer (SAO) obligations through robust processes, clear documentation and proactive risk identification and escalation. Operating within a lean structure supported by automation (D365 MTD) and third-party tools (Vertex), the focus is on oversight, exception management and resolution of complex issues rather than transactional processing.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and sign off all material indirect tax returns, ensuring accurate and timely submission across all jurisdictions.
• Oversee global filing throughput, identifying and resolving exceptions, anomalies and emerging risks.
• Design, maintain and continuously improve the indirect tax risk and control framework, including quarterly Risk & Control Matrix (RCM) reviews.
• Ensure clear escalation of control deficiencies and uncertain tax positions to the Group Financial Controller.
• Oversee balance sheet positions and reconciliations to support audit assurance.
• Ensure effective governance across all indirect taxes, including VAT, GST and customs duties.
• Own relationships with tax authorities globally, including HMRC.
• Lead responses to audits and enquiries, ensuring consistent and well-supported technical positions.
• Define response strategies and manage delivery across jurisdictions.
• Oversee applications such as Certificates of Residency and Certificates of Compliance.
• Define and maintain indirect tax requirements within ERP and tax engines (e.g. D365, Vertex), ensuring accurate tax determination and reporting logic across systems.
• Operate within a system-enabled compliance model, leveraging automation and third-party solutions to deliver scalable compliance.
• Partner with Finance Systems to support implementation, optimisation and ongoing integrity of tax configurations.
• Provide clear, practical advice on indirect tax implications of commercial transactions, supply chain design, international expansion and market entry.
• Lead indirect tax input into key projects, including new entity set-up, e-invoicing and digital reporting initiatives.
• Draft and maintain tax requirement documentation for new jurisdictions and major projects.
• Anticipate and manage the impact of regulatory change, ensuring the Group remains compliant and well-positioned.
• Lead and develop the indirect tax capability, including coaching and development of team members.
• Promote strong awareness of indirect tax risks and controls across the business.
• Build effective relationships and deliver training and guidance across Finance and Operational teams (AR, AP, Logistics and Credit Control) to ensure consistent application of tax principles.

What We’re Looking For

Essential Experience

• Significant experience in indirect tax governance within a multinational environment.
• Proven track record of managing global indirect tax compliance at scale.
• Strong understanding of indirect tax law and its practical application.
• Experience operating within a control-led, system-enabled environment.

Desirable Experience

• Experience with customs procedures and international trade considerations.
• Exposure to direct tax matters.
• Experience in a listed or regulated environment, including SAO (or equivalent).
• Relevant industry experience.
• Hands-on experience with D365, Vertex or similar tax engines.
• E-invoicing or digital reporting implementation experience.

Desirable Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent experience.
• CTA Accounting qualification.

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

• Strong communicator, able to adapt communication style to translate complex technical issues into clear commercial guidance and engage effectively with stakeholders.
• Logical and structured thinker with the ability to manage complexity and scale.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, evolving business environment.
• Strong leadership and management skills with a desire to support team development.
• Good presentation skills to communicate and run training sessions across the business.

Personal Attributes

• Flexibility, especially during peak periods.
• Resilient and adaptable, with a calm and measured approach under pressure.
• High level of ownership and accountability.
• Commercially aware, with a pragmatic and solutions-oriented mindset.

Benefits

We offer outstanding benefits, including an attractive bonus, generous pension contributions, private healthcare and a competitive starting salary. Based within beautiful, landscaped surroundings with tree-lined walks, water features and a lake, the site offers a wonderful working environment.